Mangaluru: The new Bishop of the Mangalore Diocese, Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha for the first time, conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation to 31 children here at the Rosario Cathedral on Friday, November 9.
Prior to this, the Bishop catechized the children for half-an-hour starting at 6 PM, during which he explained the need for faith today among the youth. He instructed the children regarding the faith in the Trinity in simple words. Citing the example of St Theresa of Kolkata, the Bishop explained the importance of the Holy Eucharist. He said. “Mother Theresa would open her houses only where priests were available to offer Mass, which expressed her great desire and her deep faith in the presence of the Lord in the Eucharist.”
The Bishop was the main celebrant of the Holy Eucharist and Rev Fr. J B Crasta the Rector of the Cathedral, Rev. Fr Flavian Lobo Asst parish priest, Rev. Fr Rocky Fernandes and Rev Fr Victor D’Souza were the concelebrants. “We need to be witnesses of Christ in the present world. The Holy Spirit is the one who empowers us to proclaim our faith boldly,” the Bishop said in his homily, adding that after receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the young people need to take every opportunity to bear witness to Jesus in their lives.
The Rector thanked the Bishop, Fr Flavian (for preparing the children for the Confirmation), the children and their parents. He also said that the celebration of the sacrament of confirmation is one of the 450 Jubilee year spiritual activities. The whole liturgy was conducted by the children with the guidance of the Assistant Priest. The Bishop thanked the parents and children and wished them all well.
Prior to the sacrament of confirmation, Rev Fr J B Crasta conducted the adoration to the Blessed Sacrament. The Cathedral Choir sang traditional hymns during the Eucharistic celebration under the leadership of Antony D’Silva, the choir master.
